T H A I L A N D
travel guide
To me, Thailand symbolises freedom. It was the first country we visited in South east Asia and it has lodged itself deep in my heart.
Our first stop, Bangkok, immediately overwhelmed me. The noise made me unable to gather my thoughts, crossing roads felt like playing Russian roulette, the smells that came up from the drains would make me nauseous and the street food had me clenching my bum cheeks (just keeping it real). But after a few days I fell into the rhythm of it and I found the atmosphere addictive.
We spent most of our time in Thailand bouncing between the islands in the south and Bangkok. These 2 years were the best of my life. Sipping coconuts on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, slurping khao soi on the side of a road, feeling the wind in my hair on the back of a scooter, learning about Buddhism and of course the many kind locals we met along the way.
These guides are all based on my own experience, designed to help you plan your Thailand trip properly, without any fluff.
Thailand Destinations
Thailand Essentials
How To Get Around Thailand
Grab
Download Grab before you go. It works like Uber and covers most cities and tourist areas across Thailand. Fixed price upfront, no haggling. The easiest and most reliable option for getting around day to day.
Grab Bikes
If you’re solo and just need to get across town quickly, book a Grab bike. Faster than a car in traffic, cheaper, and the drivers know every shortcut. Helmets are provided. Just hold on.
Tuk Tuks
Iconic but always agree a price before you get in. Fun for short rides, but not always the cheapest option in tourist-heavy areas.
Agree a price upfront: never get in without settling on a fare first.
Watch out for detours: if a driver offers to take you somewhere “on the way,” it’s usually a shop paying them commission.
Songthaews
Shared red pickup trucks with bench seats in the back. Flag one down, hop in, pay a flat fare when you get off. Koh Samui has loads of them. Cheap and frequent once you get the hang of it.
Flights
For covering serious distances, fly. Domestic flights are cheap and take an hour instead of a day. AirAsia and Nok Air are the main budget carriers, book in advance and you’ll pay very little.
Overnight Buses
A solid budget option for long routes. Travel while you sleep, save a night’s accommodation, wake up at your destination. VIP buses are comfortable enough with reclining seats and air con.
Pack a layer: the AC is always on full blast. You’ll be freezing by 3am without one.
Rent a Scooter
The best way to explore at your own pace, especially on the islands. Scooters are cheap to rent, easy to find, and open up areas that tours and taxis simply don’t reach. That said, Thailand’s roads can be unpredictable, traffic is chaotic in busier areas and road conditions outside the towns vary a lot. Only rent one if you’re actually comfortable riding.
Always wear a helmet: it’s the law and the police do checkpoint stops, particularly on popular tourist routes.
Check your travel insurance: most standard policies won’t cover you on a scooter without the right licence. Read the small print before you ride.
Photograph the bike before you take it: existing scratches and dents are a common source of disputes when you return it.
Trains
Slow but charming. The overnight sleeper from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is a classic, affordable, scenic, and actually pretty comfortable. Worth it on the routes they cover if you’re not in a rush.
Do you need a scooter to get around Thailand?
The unfortunate truth is that unless you are staying in Bangkok, if you don’t have a scooter you will miss out, . There are so many viewpoints, remote beaches, hikes and cute family run cafes that can only be reached by driving yourself. You can hire a private driver but that can get expensive.
A scooter isn’t for everyone though, you must have some experience driving one or else you are putting yourself and everyone one else on the road in danger. A smart idea is to take a 1 – 3 day motorcycle class either in your home country of with a Thai local who will get you familiar with the roads and show you how to use your bike.
You must have your home license and an international drivers license to ride a scooter in Thailand, it is against the law to ride without one – you will be fined. If a fine doesn’t scare you then getting into a crash with no license with make your insurance null and void, you will only be treated in Thai hospitals if you have the money to pay. Just scroll on Go Fund Me for a few sad horror stories.
How Expensive is Thailand
Thailand is good value, but it’s not as cheap as people expect if you’re not paying attention. Street food and local transport will cost you next to nothing, but boutique hotels, beach clubs and tourist-facing restaurants add up fast.
Budget travellers can get by on very little, mid-range is extremely comfortable and even splurging doesn’t feel painful compared to back home. It’s one of those destinations where you get a lot for your money if you spend it in the right places.
Best Time To Visit Thailand
Thailand’s weather varies a lot depending on where you’re going, so there’s no single answer. The cool, dry season between November and February is the most popular and the most comfortable across most of the country. But it’s worth knowing the differences before you book.
- The North (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai) November to February is the best time to visit the north. Temperatures are cool, the air is clear. March and April turn hot fast, and the burning season brings thick smoke and haze across the region that can be awful to experience, especially around Chiang Mai. Not the time to go if you have any respiratory issues or care about visibility.
- Bangkok and Central Thailand Comfortable from November through February. March to May is brutal heat, often touching 40°C. The rainy season runs roughly June to October but showers are usually short and heavy rather than all day. Bangkok is honestly worth visiting year round… if you can handle the heat.
- The Andaman Coast (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi) Best from November through April. The monsoon hits hard from May to October, with some of the islands and smaller beach operators shutting down entirely. Seas get rough and a lot of boat trips stop running. November is a good time when it’s just dried out but the crowds haven’t fully arrived yet.
- The Gulf Coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) This coast runs on the opposite cycle to the Andaman. Its rainy season peaks October to December, so while Phuket is quieting down the Gulf is getting wet. Best time here is December through September, with February to April being particularly good. Koh Samui especially can get hit badly in November.
The short version: if you’re doing the islands, know which coast you’re on. If you’re going north, avoid March and April. If you’re flexible, November to February covers the whole country safely.
Best Thai Food: What To Eat In Thailand
Thai food is built on balance, sweet, sour, salty, spicy and umami all hitting at once and it’s incredibly regional. The north leans into earthy, herb-heavy dishes and sticky rice. The south goes hard on coconut milk, turmeric and serious heat. Bangkok has everything.
Street food is where you want to be eating for most of it. The best pad thai, the best som tum, the best grilled pork skewers, they’re almost always coming off a cart or out of a shopfront with four plastic stools, not a restaurant with a menu in six languages. Don’t overthink it, eat where the locals are eating, and be open to pointing at things you don’t recognise. That’s usually where the best meals happen.
Thai’s like a lot of spice on their food, they will usually ask you how spicy, if you say “Thai spice” they will turn up the heat. It takes a while to get used to but you’ll leave with a new found love of Thai chilli’s.
Thai Dishes You Have To Try
Best Things To Do In Thailand
Dream Hotels In Thailand
Handpicked luxury stays you’ll love
Pathumwan Princess Hotel
Direct access to MBK centre, and the BTS station. Although it is expensive it has incredible facilities, such as a rooftop running track, infinity pool, large modern gym, and spa.
View hotel →
CHINO@NIMMAN
Colonial-style boutique hotel with lush gardens, spa, and amazing dining. Perfect mix of culture and comfort.
View hotel →
Bandara Pool Villas, Phuket
World-class luxury resort on a private beach. Stunning villas, exceptional service, and breathtaking sunset views.
View hotel →Travel Resources
Tools I personally recommend for your trip to Thailand
Apps To Download In Thailand
Apps I found useful in Thailand.
Google Maps
Best for subways. Shows ideal carriage + correct exit. Search in Thai using Google Translate.
LINE
Popular messaging app for locals and tour services.
Grab
Go to app for taxis and takeaways.
Bangkok Post
Keep up to date with what is going on in the country.
Lazada
The Thai version of Amazon.
Klook / GetYourGuide
Book attraction tickets and tours safely.